SPORTS BRIEFS

Agencies

Mon, Dec 24, 2012 - Page 19

BASKETBALL

Kings suspend top scorer

The Sacramento Kings have suspended leading scorer and rebounder DeMarcus Cousins indefinitely for “unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team,” the Kings said on Saturday. The suspension, his third this season, came after Cousins exchanged words with Kings coach Keith Smart during halftime of Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Cousins, who is averaging 16.6 points and 9.5 rebounds, lashed out at Smart after the coach said something to him, the Sacramento Bee reported. Cousins later apologized for his actions. “I shouldn’t have responded back,” he told reporters. “Should have accepted what was said and stayed quiet.” Cousins has been sanctioned twice by the NBA this year. He was suspended for two games last month for confronting a San Antonio Spurs announcer and was benched for one game by the league earlier this month after striking the Dallas Mavericks’ O.J. Mayo in the groin.

SOCCER

Lyon go level with PSG

Olympique Lyonnais beat OGC Nice 3-0 on Saturday to go level with leaders Paris Saint-Germain on 38 points as Ligue 1 prepared to head into its winter break. Lisandro Lopez, Anthony Reveillere and a Bafetimbi Gomis penalty gave Lyon the three points. It was a disappointing return to Lyon for former boss Claude Puel whose side ended the match with 10 men after David Ospina was sent off. The home side also finished a man short when Dejan Lovren was red-carded in the last minute. Meanwhile, Rennes are fourth after a 4-2 win at Ajaccio.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Broncos, Ragin’ Cajuns win

Boise State clinched a third straight Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, but the Broncos were pushed harder than they were the first two times, edging Washington State 28-26. In Saturday’s other college football bowl game, Louisiana-Lafayette began their own streak with a second-straight New Orleans Bowl victory, defeating East Carolina 43-34. Boise State’s big moment was provided by a little guy, with 1.63m Michael Frisina kicking a 27-yard field goal with 1.16 left to put the Broncos ahead. The Broncos sealed the win when Jeremy Ioane intercepted Keith Price’s pass. Boise State overcame a 205-yard rushing game by Bishop Sankey, who also had 74 yards receiving, giving him 279 of Washington’s 447 yards from scrimmage. Sankey rushed 30 times and caught six passes to be named MVP. Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Terrance Broadway also put in an MVP performance to lead the Ragin’ Cajuns to victory over East Carolina. Broadway excelled by passing for 316 yards and running for 108. He also ran for a 12-yard score.

CRICKET

Lehmann lands in hot water

Former Australia batsman Darren Lehmann has been charged under Cricket Australia’s code of behavior for questioning the legitimacy of the bowling action of West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels. Lehmann, who coaches Brisbane Heat in the Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL), called for an examination of Samuels’ action after a match against the Melbourne Renegades on Saturday. Samuels’ bowling played a part in the Renegades’ win and Lehmann later asked how the off-spinner could bowl at 120kph off a run-up of just a few paces. Lehmann said he spoke to the umpires because “I just want something done. He couldn’t bowl in the [Indian Premier League] last year, yet he can bowl in the BBL.” Lehmann was charged under a clause in the code that prohibits detrimental public comment.